What is the Russian Arm System?

The Russian Arm System is the unique combination of the gyro-stabilized Flight Head on the end of a gyro-stabilized remote controlled crane arm.

It is safely operated via joystick consoles from within the ML55 Chase Car.

It is a high speed mobile crane arm used for photographing moving vehicles from just about any & every angle you want in all weather conditions. Shots are setup on the fly & adjusted instantly. Sequences can be as dynamic as your imagination.

Advantages of Russian Arm Mounted To ML55 Chase Car

With the Russian Arm on the ML55 chase car you can shoot another moving vehicle from just about any & every angle.

Shooting can occur in any weather because technicians are shielded from the elements inside the ML55 chase car.

Shots are setup on the fly and can be adjusted instantly.

Sequences can be as dynamic as your imagination lets them.
System Features & Specifications

Russian Arm Standard Reach

Pan & Tilt axis are gyro-stabilized.

360° panning capability around the ML55 or picture vehicle.

Minimum safe operating camera height off the road surface is 12”.

Reach from the centre post is 14’.

Fulcrum sits 8’ off the ground.

Maximum lens height is 14’, armed 90° to either side of the Chase Car’s chassis.

With an 18 mm lens a full frame top shot can be achieved.

Stabilization tail fin allows the Russian Arm to pan side to side, back and forth at high speeds.

Operating Tilt angle ±45°.

Speed 6 sec / 360°.

Max camera payload capacity 25 kg.

Weight 300 kg (RA, FH, Camera, Counter Weights).

Set-up Time on ML55 Chase Car: 1.15 hours (including camera).

Set-up Time on a Picture Vehicle: 2.5 hours (not including vehicle’s prep).

The RA is fully controlled from within a car and is capable of operating at speeds up to 180 km/hr.

Russian Arm 19 Extension

The RA with a 19′ extended reach now achieves a 19′-6″ lens height armed off to the side of the ML55 Chase Car.

Brooklyn Bridge Certified. Our Toronto bases RA System has been specially rengineered to meet the standards & regulations of the Brooklyn Bridge Engineers (NYC) for weight and height (9′) to enable filming with a camera car system on the bridge.

Flight Head V & Flight Head XL

4 & 3 Axis Gyro-Stabilized Heads.

Auto Horizon always keeps camera level even in hi G turns.

Pan axis travels through 360° with back-pan compensation.

Roll axis travels through 270° with auto horizon.

Tilt Axis travels through 200°.

Preston FIZ plugs into head console to give Zoom control on the left joy stick.

The FHV is operated via joystick or hand wheels.

History of the Russian Arm

Designed in Kiev, Ukraine in 1982 by Cinema Engineer Anatoliy Kokush, Yuriy Popovsky and Director of Photography Oleksiy Zolotarov.

In 1996 Filmotechnic introduced the Robo Arm to Hollywood, CA.

The Russian Arm was officially named the Auto-Robot Crane or Robo Arm. It soon was nick-named ‘Russian Arm’ due to the Russian spoken by Filmotechnic’s Ukrainian Technicians.

The Russian Arm quickly became a preferred tool for shooting Car Commercials, Feature Films, and Music Videos.
Executing Any Shot Is A Team Effort

The director gives cues to everyone on the Comm. system.

Precision driver controls moving vehicle position & speed.

The crane operator positions the arm.

The camera operator frames the shot.

The focus puller keeps it sharp.

NOTE: WITH THE RUSSIAN ARM WE RECOMEND JOYSTICK CONTROL FOR PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY REASONS

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